Thailand Clears 5,000 Local Officials in Exam Fraud Probe
Thailand's government is reviewing whether to revoke the appointments of 5,000 local officials whose civil service exam scores showed irregularities, with a final decision expected July 23.
On July 15, Deputy Prime Minister Arkhom Sarnsamak chaired a meeting of the Central Committee for Local Official Examinations (CSTE) at the Department of Local Government Promotion to consider revoking the appointments of 5,000 local civil servants whose exam scores were found to be irregular. When asked by reporters if he felt troubled by the matter, Sarnsamak responded by asking "What would trouble me?" He clarified that authority over such decisions rests with the Central Administrative Committee, but the CSTE is tasked by that committee to conduct the examinations. When issues arise, they must be brought to the CSTE meeting and then referred to the Central Committee for final consideration and resolution, which is expected on July 23.
Before the meeting, CSTE members attended en masse but largely declined to comment. Representatives from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and the Central Investigation Bureau also attended as observers. Suchart Krovkitanon, deputy secretary-general of the NACC, explained that he had only recently received an invitation and would act as an observer. He noted that the CSTE would provide information on whether the 5,000 appointments would be revoked, and he will consider whether to include observations from today's meeting in the NACC's own investigation.
When asked whether the NACC would initially recommend revoking all 5,000 appointments, Suchart said the matter requires further review due to ongoing cross-level investigations. He emphasized that the authority to revoke appointments belongs to the CSTE, not the NACC. Regarding additional exam verification, he explained that the CSTE determines which answers were altered, but has not yet shared those results with the NACC. The investigation remains ongoing to identify all involved parties, including both government officials and test-takers. Currently, 22 individuals remain under investigation, with potential expansion depending on findings. The NACC's findings will be forwarded to the fact-finding committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapart.
